PERFORMANCE OF NATIVE COWS UNDER FARM CONDITIONS

Data on productive and reporductive performance of native cows maintained at Savar Dairy Farm, Central Cattle Breeding Station (CCBS), Savar, Dhaka, were collected from the periods of 1980-1988. The mean calving to first breeding during the second parity was longer (p < 0.01) than the fourth and fifth parities (152 vs 105 and 96 days respectively). There was no difference on the parameters like first breeding to conception, service period, gestation length, number of services per conception and total milk yield over the parities. The mean calving interval during the second parity was longer (p < 0.05) than the fourth and fifth parities. The mean lactation length during the first parity was longer (p < 0.01) than those of second, third, fourth and fifth lactations (317 vs 237, 266, 250 and 247 days respectively). The mean per day milk yield during the first lactation was lower (p < 0.01) than those of second, third, fourth and fifth lactations (1.88 vs 2.55, 2.75, 2.54 and 2.57 kg respectively). The mean dry period was longer in first lactation (p < 0.05) compared to third and fifth lactations (209 vs 141 and 129 days respectively).